Digitally Based
You are expected to make and manage your claim for Universal Credit online. If you are going to struggle to do this speak to a Benefits Adviser who can help you request an offline claim.
(See I need help for more information)
Health issues?
If you are getting Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) when you make your claim for Universal Credit, then your ‘work capability status’ should transfer to your Universal Credit award.
If you are not getting ESA, but you have a health condition or disability that limits the work you can do, then you may get more Universal Credit if you are found to have a Limited Capability for Work.
On claiming Universal Credit make sure you list all your health issues. Ask your Dr for a fit note. Report this on your Universal Credit account and put a note on your journal asking to be referred for a Work Capability Assessment (WCA).
If you are working, you may still be able to have a Work Capability Assessment. Speak to a Benefits Adviser if you are refused.
If you have been previously assessed as having Limited Capability for Work, for example if you claimed Employment and Support Allowance at some point in the past, and have never been ‘found fit’ or ‘treated as fit for work’, then you may have ‘NI Credits for LCW’. If so, then you might get more Universal Credit if this is taken into account from the start of your new claim. Seek advice from a Benefits Adviser.
(See If you have health problems that affects your ability to work for more information)
Are you a carer?
Many people, including many working people, care for a sick or disabled person – whether this is a partner, child, family member or friend.
You may get more Universal Credit if your are caring 35 hours a week or more for someone who gets daily living PIP, mid or high rate care DLA or Attendance Allowance.
If you are unsure that this applies to you then speak to a Benefits Adviser.
(See If you are a carer for more information).
IMPORTANT: If the person you are caring for receives Pension Credit, Income-Related Employment and Support Allowance, Income Support, Income-Based Jobseekers Allowance or Housing Benefit get advice before making your claim for Universal Credit .
Are you missing out on any disability premiums?
Your existing benefits, such as Income-Related Employment and Support Allowance, Income Support or Tax Credits, might include extra amounts due to you or a family member also being entitled to disability benefits.
If so, then in some cases when you claim Universal Credit you can qualify for an extra amount of Universal Credit, due to Transitional Protection. It is therefore in your interests to make sure that all the possible relevant premiums on your old benefits are in place, before you need to claim Universal Credit.
If you have already claimed Universal Credit, it might not be too late to claim any missing entitlement to extra premiums on your old benefits, and therefore also claim some Transitional Protection for your Universal Credit.
The rules on this are complicated, speak to a Benefits Adviser.
Deductions
Various deductions can be taken out of your Universal Credit award before you receive your payment to pay off certain debts, such as council tax, energy bills, rent and child maintenance.
Deductions can also be made for old debts, overpayments and DWP social fund loans that you may have forgotten about.
(See Deductions for more information).
Self-employed?
You will need to report your income and expenses every month at the end of each Assessment Period.
Some self-employed claimants, after being on Universal Credit for 12 months, will be affected by the Minimum Income Floor – where an assumed minimum income can be used.
(See What If I am Self-Employed? for more information).
Working and have than one payday a month?
This is because Universal Credit looks at your wages received each month and if you are paid weekly, for instance, the assessment will sometimes include five wages.
Those whose earnings are paid weekly, fortnightly or four weekly will find that their Universal Credit payments will sometimes be lower than normal.
(See How does UC work for workers for more information).
Paying for childcare?
You can receive help with childcare at 85% of the cost up to a limit. This acts as a refund of the actual childcare received and paid for.
You will need to report childcare paid for each month.
(See Help with Childcare Costs for more information)